Attract more guests with professional photos!
First impressions always count when you list your property online. Whether looking for a B&B, family-friendly holiday home, romantic getaway, beach rental etc., your potential guests rely on the Internet to find their ideal property. As there is a lot of competition, using a professional photographer, will help you stand out from the crowd.
Words and photos by Angela Giles (Get Clicked! Real Estate Photography)
Take for example the website stayz.com.au; when scrolling through the list of potential holiday homes, it is so easy to scroll past those with poor photography.
Remember, your property’s online presentation is critical to attracting guests.
Make sure the property is clean and tidy. Clean windows. Windows covered with salt DO show up in photos.
Pre-shoot staging ideas
When marketing your holiday home, you need to also sell the lifestyle and experience, which can be easily achieved in photos with a few essential items. You do not need to purchase expensive items, most of the staging props that we use were purchased from either Target or Kmart.
In a nutshell: Staging your holiday rental is a great way to get bookings. We love to use straw hats, books, magazines, beach towels, beach bags, cheese platters, fresh fruit sunglasses for lifestyle photos that help sell the experience.
Consider setting up your indoor or outdoor dining tables to convey the image of enjoying a meal or drinks with family or friends. Do not forget to uncover the BBQ for the shoot as your BBQ is a huge selling point.
We often forget the little things like hats, beach bags etc. when packing, so your guests will appreciate these little touches!
Welcome guests with a personal touch!
To go that extra mile, offer your guests complimentary wine, or a welcome hamper to make your guests feel appreciated. These personal touches are great to photograph for your listing.
A welcome hamper it is more than a selection of necessities to keep your guests going when they arrive, it is a way for them to also experience the local produce. Fresh milk, coffee and a packet of biscuits may be all that is needed to help your guests settled after a long trip.
Mum or Dad might just need that glass of wine after being in the car with the kids! Speaking of kids, be sure to add a good selection or board games, cards etc.
A library of books adds a nice treat to those that just wants to curl up with a good book and a glass of wine.
Do not neglect your entryway!
We often forget that your guests holiday begins the second they walk through the door. Remember that feeling of anticipation when you open the door to your hotel room? It is the same with your guests. Consider adding a few touches to your entryway to make guests feel they can kick off their shoes, put down their bags and feel like they are home.
Add a small console table for keys, a coat rack, umbrella stand, shoe rack or a mirror on the wall. Try not to clutter your entryway with pamphlets or magazines as this can make it look untidy.
The Bedroom is the most important room of your holiday home
The bedroom is one of the most important rooms of your holiday rental, so do put some effort into the bed, bedside tables, lamps, or bedding. Everybody wants that perfect sanctuary.
For the master bedroom, consider purchasing an attractive headboard that matches your theme. Online store Temple and Webster have great cost-friendly headboards, perfect for rentals. Keep to soothing, neutral tones when purchasing bed linens, throw rugs and cushions.
The ideal bed arrangement is (in order from back to front), two European cushions, four pillows, two cushions and a throw at the end of the bed. We highly recommend that you invest in good quality, plush/plump pillows, and quilts so your guests get an amazing night’s sleep.
If your guests are required to supply their own linen, we still recommend that you do still dress your bedroom. You can purchase gorgeous bedroom furnishings from Kmart, Target, and IKEA.
A well-staged bedroom photographs beautifully and will certainly invite guests to your home.
Do not let your guests leave
The best holiday guest experience is one where the owner has thought of everything the guest could possibly need during their stay. These touches are also great to include in your photographs.
Self-contained holiday houses must include all the utilities a guest would have at home. Provide plates, side plates, bowls, cutlery, champagne flutes, wine glasses and tall glasses for twice the number of guests your home can host and make sure they are matching. Kmart and Ikea both have cost-effective crockery sets and glassware that are both durable and attractive.
For photos, set your dining tables (both indoor and outdoor), so guests can imagine themselves enjoying a specially cooked meal while spending time with family and friends.
Go the extra step and provide basic food items such as tea, coffee, sugar, salt (chicken salt and vinegar for those hot chips!), pepper, or cooking oil. Your guests may not to think to pack tomato or BBQ sauce, a cutting board, or a sharp knife.
The idea is to have everything a guest could need so they do not have their holiday interrupted by an emergency supermarket trip.
In a nutshell…
Your goal is to provide your guests with an amazing experience when they stay in your holiday home. You want them to have everything they need and to also get a better night’s sleep than what they get at home.
So, remember these few important tips:
- Make your place easy to find.
- Make your guests instantly feel at home the second they open the door.
- Make your guests feel like a local by providing local produce, “what to do” guides and essential phone numbers.
- Stock the pantry with basic supplies.
- Have enough kitchen and dining essentials.
- Consider bedrooms as private sanctuaries that your guests are wanting.
- Supply plenty of clothes hangers and extra pillows.
- Make a clear space for suitcases.
- Keep it clean!
